Leicester City Council to reinstate meeting

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is to ask for a meeting to be restored to next year's council calendar after accusations it was scrapped to shield him from pre-election questioning.

As previously reported in the Mercury, Leicester City Council's ruling Labour group voted through a schedule of four full council meetings for the next civic year, which is one fewer than the five held in the previous 12 months.

Opposition councillors were furious that the usual March meeting has been dropped as it was the last one before May's city council elections.

Tory opposition member Ross Grant said such meetings were rare opportunities to directly pose questions to Sir Peter and that Labour had axed the meeting to protect him from being challenged.

Labour's chief whip Coun Neil Clayton said there was no conspiracy behind the decision but said he did not think there would be any pressing business to conclude next March.

Sir Peter said he had not been aware the March meeting was to be withdrawn from the calendar before the city council voted on it last week. He said: "As far as I am concerned the opposition can have a council meeting whenever they want one. I will be asking officers to restore it to the calendar."

7 comments

Favourite phrase of hers though wasn't it , "The ladys NOT for turning " . However, have you never found yourself in the position of saying words to the effect ' Sorry , I maybe have got it wrong' , and changing a previously made decision ? I know I have and there is no shame in that , the shame is when one is unprepared to acknowledge that maybe a mistake has been made surely /

I've not mentioned the Lady but you appear to be unable to forget her so I've no need to remind folk. I'm pleased SPS can see the error of Labour's ways with regard to this matter, it makes a pleasant and refreshing change, don't you think?

"This man is for 'turning' " . Are you trying to remind everyone of your heroine Margaret ? Glad I had enough brain to see through that 'Almighty' one . Enough brain too to see through he who is making bold efforts to follow in her footsteps . Mention of idolism really is a case of ' the kettle calling the pot black' !

C'mon, reu, he reckons he didn't know a thing about this change - and he's the chosen Almighty leader. Those with any amount brain could see what was trying to be attempted.
Still, some will never see criticise, it borders on idolism!!